SB 424 (Jackson)—Tobacco Waste Reduction and EPR

Overview: This bill prohibits a person or entity from selling, giving, or in any way furnishing to another person of any age in the state any single-use filters, plastic devices, electronic cigarettes, and vaporizer devices, as specified. Requires the manufacturer of these components to use materials eligible for recycling under state or local recycling programs to make any multiuse, reusable component, and to offer methods for recycling those components, as specified.

CAW Position: Support

Status: Active in Assembly Governmental Organization Committee

In Context: According to the author, tobacco product waste is a pervasive problem that has reached a crisis point. Single use filters, otherwise known as ‘cigarette butts’, can be found in every corner of this state, including our beaches, parks, coasts, and waters. Cigarette butts are the number one type of litter found in public clean-ups. Other tobacco product litter is increasingly found across the state. Tobacco product waste not only impacts the environment as other waste, like plastics, the tobacco-related component of that waste additionally pollutes toxic chemicals that adversely impairs ecosystems and kills wildlife. Tobacco product litter can be accidentally consumed by pets and small children, resulting in toxic harms. Municipalities spend millions on the clean-up of tobacco product waste, and, increasingly, millions more when waterways are rendered out of compliance with water quality laws because of tobacco waste pollution. Without a comprehensive program to bring manufacturer responsibility and recyclability standards into the equation, the public taxpayer will continue to pay for improper disposal of these products.

While this bill is primarily focused on the environmental impact of wasteful single-use tobacco product components and not on the increase in youth use, research by Committee staff indicates that often single-use components, such as single-use vape pens, are cheaper than rechargeable, multiuse devices. While there is no data available on youth use of single-use vape pens specifically, the proliferation of youth use of ESDs may also include use of single-use electronics cigarettes and vape pens.

Bill Summary: Among other things, SB 424:

Prohibits a person from selling, giving, or furnishing to another person certain single-use cigarette products. Requires manufacturers of tobacco products with a reusable component to either use recyclable materials to make any reusable component of the tobacco product or to collect the reusable components through a take-back or mail-back program either individually or through a stewardship program, as specified. Prducts covered under this bill include:

  • Cigarettes utilizing a single-use filter made of any material, including cellulose acetate, any other fibrous plastic material, or any organic or biodegradable material

  • Attachable and single-use plastic devices meant to facilitate manual manipulation or filtration of a tobacco product

  • Single-use electronic cigarettes

  • Single-use vaporizer devices

Current language, analysis, and votes

Supporters: For a full list of supporters, see the Senate analysis here.

CAW Staff Contact: Robert Nunez, (916)443-5422